With Dejan Lovren leaving Anfield to join Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, Liverpool have a gap in their squad that needs to be filled.
What’s the latest?
The Reds are reportedly on the hunt for a new centre-back on the back of the Croatian’s departure, which leaves them with just three established defenders in that position in the team.
But this week saw a shock name linked with a move to Merseyside which Jurgen Klopp and his off-the-field staff simply have to consider.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea centre-half Antonio Rudiger has been the man linked with a transfer to Liverpool after his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain as of Wednesday.
Sky Sports added to this by saying that Rudiger is one of several players in the Chelsea lineup that is potentially on the chopping block. But it will up to Liverpool to make the move if they feel he is the right player to fit the mould.
Having only started 19 Premier League games last season and scoring two goals (per Whoscored), it is fair to say that Rudiger is considered as a squad player during Frank Lampard’s first season as manager.
If his future is not in the country’s capital, Klopp should consider bringing the Germany international in.
Perfect Lovren replacement
Of course, there is more to it than both the player and the boss being German, but the quality in his play speaks for itself and other Liverpool defenders last season.
WhoScored recorded that the £36m-rated centre-back averaged 1.4 tackles, 2.8 clearances and won 2.9 aerial duels. In comparison to Joe Gomez, the Englishman only managed 1.3 tackles, 1.4 clearances and 2.5 aerial duels won.
Even though Gomez is much younger than Rudiger, the 6ft 3 colossus plays a style that would be suited to Klopp’s style of playing out from the back and would certainly bolster the backline.
Should Liverpool look to sign Antonio Rudiger?
Yes
No
Rudiger would be a huge improvement on Lovren, who was too error-prone for Klopp’s liking and the club did the right thing but letting him go.
However, Liverpool now need to do the right thing and bring in sufficient quality to help them defend their Premier League title, and Rudiger would help them do that.